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Frequently Asked Questions |
ABOUT REACH CAMBRIDGE
Why Reach Cambridge?
What is Reach Cambridge’s mission?
What does your Latin motto mean?
What experience does Reach Cambridge have
in running pre-college programmes?
Who are we?
Why Reach Cambridge?
Reach Cambridge is unique in combining not only one-to-one
daily interaction with Cambridge undergraduates and academics
but also an accredited qualification to take home with you
be it a High School Credit, Community Service Hours or University enrichment experience.
On top of this we run exciting excursions to England’s
premier cultural and historical sites and schedule an unparalleled
assortment of activities.
What is Reach Cambridge’s mission?
The mission of Reach Cambridge is to widen the horizons
of its students with inspiring experiences, world-class teaching
and most importantly - integration with British culture. An
understanding of a culture depends on empathy, which in turn
is stimulated by communication and interaction. Reach Cambridge
achieves this through lectures from local academics on subjects
of social importance, workshops with local students on the
factors that most affect the life of a student, varied group
activities such sport, art and drama and excursions to national
treasures that have inspired both British people and visitors
alike for generations.
What does your Latin motto mean?
Sic Itur Ad Astra is a line from Virgil's Aeneid
and means 'Thus Reach For The Stars,' which is a sentiment
we believe in at Reach Cambridge and pass on to our students.
What experience does Reach Cambridge have in running
pre-college programmes?
Reach Cambridge brings together the wealth of knowledge
necessary to create an unparalleled pre-college summer school
experience. The senior staff has extensive experience in the
education world and travel industry as well as many years
of invaluable direct, first hand experience of the Cambridge
and British education system. This combined with years of
experience in promoting further education to the international
community makes Reach Cambridge a superior choice for a summer
programme.
Who are we?
Broadly speaking, our staff divides into three departments
– academic, supervisory and senior staff. The academic
department is made up of experienced Cambridge lecturers and
Canadian teachers, who are all Ontario qualified. The supervisory
department is made up of Cambridge University students with
an intimate knowledge of the College, the University and its
workings. The senior staff bring together many years of experience
in international schools, Cambridge University and the European
education world. See the ‘Who we are’ sections
for further details on Reach Cambridge staff.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMMES
Will I have fun?
Are Reach Cambridge programmes like summer
camp?
Which Reach Cambridge programme should
I choose?
How much spending money do I need?
Can parents visit?
What’s not included in the price?
Can I still go to Paris if I can’t
speak French?
Will I have fun?
Yes! With so many like-minded students around you,
a committed staff and a superior schedule of classes, activities,
lectures, workshops and excursions, your time in Cambridge
will be full of fun. That is not to say that there will not
be challenges – settling into a different culture anywhere
in the world can sometimes be difficult. However, with our
attentive staff and the friends you will inevitably make almost
immediately, these challenges can be easily overcome.
Are Reach Cambridge programmes like summer camp?
Yes and no. In that our programmes are all about building
a thriving community, Reach Cambridge is similar to summer
camps. However there are many differences – not least
that we encourage students to reach out of the Reach Cambridge
community as well as reach into it. Explore the city of Cambridge
in your lunchtimes. Interact with the Cambridge students that
are around you out of workshop and class time. Make the most
of the extensive grounds and facilities that the Campus has
to offer.
Which Reach Cambridge programme should I choose?
This depends on what you want to gain from your time
in Cambridge. All the programmes encapsulate the main features at the heart
of a Reach Cambridge programme: pre-college preparation, lectures,
workshops, activities and excursions. So the good news is
that whichever one you choose, you won’t miss out on
these things. If you would definitely like to gain a Canadian
High School Credit from your time in Cambridge, then the choice
is easy. If you are looking for a more detailed experience
of the local community in the University and town of Cambridge,
would like to gain Community Service hours, then the British Experience
is for you. If your passion is drama and you would like to receive a Credit for your studies, then the Drama course is for you. If you want to study a subject in detail at a level above that which you have encountered at school and with Cambridge academics, then choose a University Enrichment course.
How much spending money do I need?
This will vary from person to person. Students will
need money primarily for their lunches, incidentals and souvenirs.
Something in the region of US$150 or C$200 per week should
be sufficient.
Can parents visit?
Parents are more than welcome to visit. Students
may leave the programme for a pre-arranged period with close
family, although it is worth bearing in mind that you will
be very busy during the programme. The ideal situation is for
family trips to be scheduled before or after the programme.
What’s not included in the price?
It is important to note that, unlike many summer schools, the vast majority of items on Reach Cambridge are included: All excursions, lectures, theatre trips, workshops and tuition are included.
The main exclusions are as follows:
Flights – Reach Cambridge organizes
low cost group flights through WorldTek Travel;
Lunch – Students are encouraged to explore
Cambridge during lunchtime;
Spending money – Students should bring an allowance
for shopping, free time etc and Insurance – Students
are encouraged to take out the recommended insurance cover.
See the ‘Terms and Conditions’ in the ‘Application’
section for further details.
Can I still go to Paris if I can’t speak French?
Yes. In fact, the Paris Enrichment option is a wonderful
opportunity to brush up on your French if you know a little
or learn the most important phrases if it’s your first
experience of the language.
SAFETY
What about safety/security?
What supervisory staff do you
have?
What happens if I break one of the
rules?
How safe are the dormitories?
What about medical insurance?
What about safety/security?
Our foremost concern at Reach Cambridge is to ensure the safety,
security and health of all students. We have a clear set of
regulations for students and staff and detailed preparations
with regards medical support. Detailed Risk Assessments have
been carried out all over the campus and on all activities/excursions.
All supervisors are:
- Trained in first aid, counseling and safe organization
of activities.
- Subject to a vigorous CRB (Criminal Records Bureau)
check as per the legal requirements for working with young
people in the UK and in contrast with many other international
summer programmes.
- Experienced at working with young people. As Cambridge University undergraduates, they also have a perfect idea of the pressures and strains on young people living in a new College environment.
What supervisory staff do you have?
The supervisors or ‘counselors’ are Cambridge
graduates and undergraduates selected for their experience
in working with young people, their knowledge of the College
and Cambridge and their commitment to putting every energy
into making the students feel at home.
What happens if I break one of the rules?
One of the aims at a Reach Cambridge programme is
to encourage independence. There are not very many rules,
but the ones we do have are strictly enforced. Students
will receive a copy of the rules and regulations to sign
and return in their acceptance pack, but the main rules
are as follows:
Students must attend all classes; you must report to your
supervisor at curfew; you cannot leave your dormitory after
curfew; you may not possess or consume alcohol or drugs;
you may not smoke on campus; you must treat other students,
staff and the public with respect.
The consequences for breaking one of the rules vary depending
on the circumstances. However, particularly in the case
of alcohol or drug related misconduct, the penalty can be
severe: should a student violate any of the rules and regulations
of the programme, Reach Cambridge has the right to dismiss
and repatriate them at their own expense without refund
of the programme fee (see terms
and conditions).
How safe are the dormitories?
Access to our the College campus is by the Porters’
Lodge. This is manned 24hrs a day by first aid trained and
highly experienced porters. Cambridge porters have existed
for generations, watching over the students and facilities
of the Colleges. As well as making the College’s dormitories
incredibly safe, the porters are also an invaluable resource
of information on the College and the city of Cambridge. Every corridor has a resident supervisor, with whom the students much check-in with at curfew.
What about medical insurance?
In the acceptance pack, students will receive a medical
insurance form which they must return to Reach Cambridge with
full details of their Health Insurance Carrier. Please make
sure that your policy covers you abroad.
Reach Cambridge strongly recommends that students take out
Deluxe Travel Protection. We have affiliated with World Travel
Center to ensure that students are directed to the most appropriate
cancellation and medical insurance for their needs on a Reach
Cambridge programme.
Our recommended insurance can be found by visiting the World
Travel Center policy page or calling +1 866-979-6753 and
quoting ‘Reach Cambridge.’
ACCOMMODATION
Where will I live?
What’s the difference between
a Cambridge ‘College’ and Cambridge University?
Does every student have their own room?
Do I get to choose the person I room with?
Are boys & girls housed separately?
How do you decide which students are
put on which floors/staircases?
What about food?
What if I get sick?
Do I need a laptop?
Do I need a cell phone?
What clothes should I bring and how
much luggage?
Are there laundry facilities?
Where will I live?
All students reside in one of
the 31 Colleges that make up the University of Cambridge.
Dormitories are arranged in corridor
style with between 10 and 15 students on each corridor.
Each corridor is supervised by a Counselor, who is resident
there in case of emergencies and to give support to the
students. See the ‘Cambridge Campus’ section
for details on the accommodation and photos. All corridors
have a well equipped, modern kitchen, a telephone, and substantial
washing facilities. Washing machines are located in some
of the staircases.
What’s the difference between a Cambridge
‘College’ and Cambridge University?
Many visitors to Cambridge remark that they have
seen the Colleges and Faculties but are yet to see the University.
In fact they have seen the University – it is the
collective name for all departments, accommodations (‘Colleges’),
libraries and lecture halls spread around the city. There
are 31 Colleges that accommodate Cambridge’s 15,000
students.
Does every student have their own room?
Students typically share two-bed dorm rooms, but can choose to pay an additional fee for a single room. All the rooms are modern, well-heated, bright and airy. Every room has a wardrobe, a desk and plenty of drawer space.
Do I get to choose the person I room with?
Requests to share with a particular roommate made before
the programme commences will be honoured. Most students attend
alone so you should not worry about making friends - students often comment that after a few days they feel like they have known their new friends for years.
Are boys & girls housed separately?
Yes. We assign girls and boys to separate staircases or floors that have resident supervisor. These supervisors are available 24hrs a day. The curfew is typically 11pm, although this is relaxed on Friday and Saturday nights to midnight. At this time, students must sign in with their supervisor and remain on their floor until 7:30am the following morning.
How do you decide which students are put on which
floors/staircases?
We match students together on corridors and in rooms based on their personal statement, the course they are taking and any requests to share with friends.
Students who are coming with friends are welcome to specify
that they would like to room with their friend and such
requests shall be honored. Don’t worry if you are
not coming with a friend – you will make plenty in
a very short time!
What about food?
‘Plentiful’ is one word to describe our meals
in College. Meals are served in the main dining hall and students often comment that the dining hall is like a scene from Harry Potter with wood-pannelled walls, huge portraits and vaulted ceilings. The food is of the high standard
that Cambridge academics, from undergraduates to Nobel Prize
winners, have come to expect. Breakfast is continental style
and the dinner menu varies to account for all tastes. We
encourage students to use lunch as an opportunity to explore
Cambridge, the town centre being only 10 minutes away
with its wide variety of restaurants, cafes and tea rooms.
However, for those that wish to stay on campus, the dining
hall serves lunch on a daily basis.
What if I get sick?
Should a student need to see a doctor; the nearby Doctor’s
Surgery is only 20 minutes walk away. For any more serious
situations, Addenbrookes hospital – one of the top
hospitals in the UK – is also within easy reach. All
supervisors are first aid trained and are available
24hrs a day to make sure any students that get sick are
taken care of and kept comfortable.
Do I need a laptop?
There is no need for a laptop on the programme, although
students are welcome to bring them if they feel they will
help with their academic work. At Girton College we have
24 hour access to a computer room for checking email/the internet.
Numerous Internet cafes can also be found in the city centre. There is
Internet access available in all rooms.
Do I need a cell phone?
As with laptops, cell phones are acceptable on
the programme, although they are far from necessary. There
are numerous telephones available to students on the College
campus and in Cambridge itself. The Reach Cambridge office
telephone is manned by staff during the day and parents
are very welcome to leave messages that will be passed on
swiftly to students.
What clothes should I bring and how much luggage?
Students are limited to two pieces of luggage aside
from their day bag.
A detailed clothing list will be sent through in the weeks
leading up to the programmes.
Are there laundry facilities?
Yes. We have 24hr access to the laundry facilities
at Girton College.
THE STUDENTS
Where do the students come from?
Do I need to bring a friend?
Will my religious commitments be catered
for?
Where do the students come from?
Our programmes are open to all international students.
Although students taking different options will be engaged
in different ways on mornings and during some afternoons,
we bring students from all programmes together on a daily
basis for activities, excursions, lectures and workshops. We have students from literally all over the world. In the past, countries represented have included: America, Canada, Singapore, Haiti, Jordan, Romania, England, Germany, Guatemala and numerous Caribbean islands.
Do I need to bring a friend?
There is no need to bring a friend. In fact, sometimes students
find it easier to make new friends when they attend alone.
If you would like to attend with a friend, it is always
nice to have a familiar face around the campus. Either way,
the social activities, the structure of the programme and
the free time you have will make it incredibly easy to make
friends.
Will my religious commitments be catered for?
Reach Cambridge welcomes students of all faiths. We make the
effort to cater for individual needs, and the most expedient
course is for students to advise us of their specific needs
ahead of time. We prefer that students attend religious services
out of class times and so schedule classes and compulsory
activities so as to avoid conflict. This is not always possible
and although we discourage students from missing class, it
is permitted under these circumstances. The College dining
halls are not able to provide Kosher or Halal foods, however
there are a number of solutions to this – one is that
there is often enough of a selection of other foods for a
student to get by; another is that students can purchase a
refrigerator for their room and store food that they buy in
the appropriate stores in Cambridge.
ACADEMICS
How much time do I spend working? Is
there much homework?
How will Reach Cambridge prepare me
for College?
Can I get Credit if I’m not taking
the High School Credit courses?
Who are the faculty?
What is the average class size?
Will I receive a transcript at the end
of the programme?
How much time do I spend working? Is there much
homework?
Classes run on weekdays for an average of five hours, usually in the mornings. We have designed
the courses to allow plenty of time for class discussion
and interaction. For the British Experience, community service
placements and subject sample classes run at similar times,
although these are dependent on placements. Homework is
kept to a minimum, although work that is set is expected
to be completed to a high standard. Overall we keep a good
balance between work and play: Activities run every day
of the week and on weekends we organize excursions away
from campus.
How will Reach Cambridge prepare me for College?
These programmes are designed to bring you as close
to a College experience as possible. Living and working
with Cambridge students in University Halls is a real plus
point and we encourage students to make the most of the
privilege. We also give students a large amount of freedom
out of class time. We insist that students attend all classes
and are on their staircases or corridors by curfew, but
otherwise there are very few other compulsory activities.
Preparing for College is as much about learning to manage
your new independence responsibly as it is about experiencing
a new environment.
Can I get Credit if I’m not taking the High
School Credit courses?
If you are taking the British Experience course,
you will receive a Reach Cambridge transcript at the end
of the programme. This will detail the lectures, workshops,
classes and community service hours you will have completed
during the summer. This may or may not be sufficient to
earn you a Credit (check with your school in advance), but
will certainly be invaluable on application to University
and in earning community service hours towards either a
school diploma or other qualification. The University Enrichment courses may also be sufficient to earn you a Credit - you will need to check with your school in advance.
Who are the faculty?
Reach Cambridge combines the world-class knowledge and 'critical-thinking' teaching style of Cambridge academics with the exceptional classroom experience of teachers from within the Cambridge system and from Canada for the Canadian Credits. See the 'Who we are' section for further details.'
What is the average class size?
The average class ratio is twelve students to one
teacher. Our small class sizes ensure that all students
are able to interact with the teacher as the lesson progresses.
Will I receive a transcript at the end of the programme?
Yes. All students receive a transcript no matter which programme
they have attended. If you are taking a Credit Class, you
will receive your final grade directly from the school board.
These transcripts can be sent directly to your school on request.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
What is a typical day like?
What do I do in my free time?
What happens on the weekends?
What activities are offered in the
afternoons and evenings?
Do I have to attend activities?
Do I have to attend the excursions?
What is a typical day like?
A typical day would begin with continental breakfast
in the prestigious College Dining Hall (the largest in Cambridge)
before the first class at 9am. At this point, those on the
British Experience would either be dispatched to the site
of their community service placement or take a University study
class in the College. Classes and placements finish in time
for lunch, at which point students are free to explore the
city of Cambridge or the campus grounds.
The afternoon is spent enjoying
the many activities laid on by the supervisors and perhaps doing some independent study. Dinner is
at 6pm, and following this, students are free to enjoy
the evening entertainment organized by the supervisors, spend
time socializing or catch up on homework (those on Credit
Courses). Curfew is typically at 11pm (midnight on weekends),
at which point students must be on their staircases or corridors
to sign in with their supervisors.
What do I do in my free time?
Your time out of class or placement is structured
so that there is always something you can be doing –
be it sport, art or a plethora of other activities. All
of these are supervised. On the other hand,
in providing a University experience, we also encourage
independence in our students. Students may choose to stroll
into Cambridge and relax in one of the tea rooms, explore
the famous sites around the city centre or go shopping in
the city’s market place and retail district.
What happens on the weekends?
Weekends are a time for excursions. Excursions are included
in the programme, and so students are encouraged to participate.
Saturday is the best time to visit London – we arrange
two excursions to the capital. There are also excursions
to the mysterious Stonehenge, the unique Roman city of Bath
and Shakespeare’s birthplace – Stratford-upon-Avon.
What activities are offered in the afternoons and
evenings?
The aim of the activities schedule is to help you
make the most out of the campus facilities and the Reach
Cambridge community. Afternoon activities vary from team
sports such as Football (Soccer!), ultimate Frisbee and
basketball to arts-based activities such as painting, photography
or drama. Evening activities tend to focus more on the social
side of things with talent shows, quiz shows and film nights.
The evening is also typically the time that we schedule
University lectures and workshops. These can be equally
sociable with discussion during and particularly after the
presentation.
Do I have to attend activities?
Activities are not compulsory, however students
are encouraged to make the most of their time in Cambridge
by engaging in activities as much as possible. In terms
of the lectures and workshops, students will need to attend
a certain percentage in order for their contribution to
be noted on their transcript.
Do I have to attend the excursions?
Again, excursions are not compulsory. It would be
extremely unusual for students to not participate though,
as the excursions really are one the highlights of the programme.
Should students choose not to attend an excursion, there are
activities and supervision for them on campus.
APPLYING TO COLLEGE
Will my attendance at Reach Cambridge
help my College application?
How do I add my attendance to my application?
Can I learn about applying to College
on the programme?
Do we visit other Colleges/Universities
on the programme?
Will my attendance at Reach Cambridge help my College
application?
Your experiences on a Reach Cambridge programme will
help you in more ways than can possibly be listed here.
Yes – there is the obvious fact that attendance on
a pre-college programme in Cambridge is likely to improve
any College application on paper. Admissions offices increasingly
look for interesting applicants that have spent their summers
in productive ways. But you will also learn many more skills
and insights that will help your College application –
an understanding of University life, an awareness of what
University study entails in particular subjects, how to
interact with University students and academics and how
to manage your time responsibly.
How do I add my attendance to my application?
Your relationship with Reach Cambridge need not end when
you leave the programme. We will happily forward a copy of
your transcript to your school, or any number of Colleges
to which you apply. Just send us stamped envelopes, addressed
to the appropriate institutions.
Can I learn about applying to College on the programme?
Yes – One of the many advantages to the Reach
Cambridge programmes is that you can learn about University
application direct from the point of view of successful
applicants. The workshops run by Cambridge students will
cover issues as wide-ranging as application and interview
techniques to deciding which University and courses you
wish to apply for.
Do we visit other Colleges/Universities on the
programme?
There is an optional addition to the programme called ‘University Advance,’ which enables students to
visit one of Britain’s top Universities of their choice.
Students are introduced to the University’s
facilities as well as a member of the admissions office to
discuss making an application.
TRAVEL
Who makes my travel arrangements?
How do I get from the airport to the programme?
What time should I plan to arrive/depart
the programme?
When will I receive more information about
group flights?
Who makes my travel arrangements?
Students make their own travel arrangements. We encourage
students to join our group flights out of New York and Toronto,
but understand that this might not always be possible. The
advantage of joining our group flights is that you will be
met by us at the airport in London and transferred by coach
direct to the campus.
Our Travel Agent, WorldTek Travel arranges group flights from New York and
Toronto. They can also arrange flights from anywhere else
in North America that will ensure you arrive in the UK on
the appropriate day and time. Flight details will be sent
out to successful applicants in Spring.
How do I get from the airport to the programme?
If you arrive on one of the group flights, then
yes – we will meet you at the airport and transport
you to the programme. If you are traveling independently,
it is your responsibility to organize transport from the
airport to the campus in Cambridge. We can advise you of
appropriate taxi firms.
What time should I plan to arrive/depart the programme?
Students should aim to arrive at the campus between 10am and 2pm on the arrival day. All students should aim to depart the campus between 9am and 1pm on the final day of the programme.
When will I receive more information about group
flights?
Group flight information will be sent out in Spring.
This will include a form for you to fill out telling us whether
you will be taking the group flight, and if not, what your
independent travel arrangements are.
APPLICATION
How do I know if I’ve been accepted?
What is the payment schedule?
What is your cancellation policy
if I am unable to attend?
How do I know if I’ve been accepted?
Assuming we have received all the documents and
deposit (see ‘Application’
section), we will respond to let you know whether you have
been accepted within two weeks of your application. At this
point, your place on the programme will be secure.
What is the payment schedule?
The final payment deadline for fees is May 15th.
Late enrolments may be accepted after this point, but after
May 15th places cannot be held for students that have not
paid.
What is your cancellation policy if I am unable
to attend?
Cancellations must be received in writing by Reach
Cambridge Ltd. The deposit is non-refundable. There is no
cancellation charge, aside from the non refundable deposit,
for cancellations received before January 31st. The charge
for cancellations received between February 1st and April
15th is 50% of the total programme price. No refunds are granted
after April 15th. Students who cancel for medical reasons
are financially protected as long as they have purchased trip
cancellation insurance.
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Accepting Applications |
Reach
Cambridge is now accepting applications for Summer 2008
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